Moneymaker Poker Series to Launch with Stops in Australia and Texas

Chris Moneymaker has launched a new poker tour under his name and is doing his part to make sure that Texas Hold'em can actually be played in live casino in Texas.

The Moneymaker Poker Series kicks off with two tour stops in the Land Down Under in Brisbane (July 22-28) and Adelaide (July 30 - Aug. 3), followed by two more dates in Texas, first in Edinburg (Aug. 14-18) and then Corpus Christi (Aug. 20-25).

The full schedule of events including buy-ins have yet to be released but are sure to follow in due course at moneymakerpokerseries.com.

Is it Legal?

The legality of playing live poker in the state of Texas remains somewhat questionable. A raid on a pair of Texas card rooms earlier this month that led to nine arrests made the situation even more murky.

Here's what 2003 WSOP Main Event champ had to say about poker in the Lone Star State and his upcoming poker series:

It's illegal in Texas for club operators to siphon a rake from the pot. What they apparently can do is run a card club that charges membership fees.

Of course, Chris is a great ambassador for the game. Perhaps the Moneymaker Poker Series stops in Texas will have a positive effect on the situation.

Then there's always the possibility that the authorities will want to make a big splash by raiding an event promoted by a well-known poker star such as Moneymaker. Be careful.